Nut butter beverage

ABSTRACT

A non-dairy, nut-based beverage concentrate and a directly consumable product, and processes for producing same. At least two or more certain essential ingredients are mixed with and dispersed throughout nut butter. These essential ingredients ensure that the consumable beverage will exhibit and maintain for long periods of time, the desired characteristics of a milk-like beverage. Optional ingredients such as sugar, flavoring, vitamins, salt, and the like may also be added to the mixture. Potable water is then added to the nut butter mixture, and the combination is subjected to high shear mixing, producing an unprocessed nut beverage. Finally, pasteurization, partial cooling, homogenizing, and further cooling are undertaken, and the resultant fully processed nut beverage may be packaged, using aseptic or refrigerated methods.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/020,824, filedFeb. 9, 1998, status pending, of which the following is a specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of non-dairy beverages,produced from natural foodstuff. More specifically, the inventionprovides a process for combining nut butter with water and otheressential ingredients, in predetermined amounts, resulting in a stable,pleasant tasting beverage.

2. Description of Prior Art

A. Nut-Based Beverages

Efforts to utilize nuts as the primary ingredient of a beverage, havenot previously met with great success. One prior art process called formixing ground nuts, in the form of a powder, with water, milk, or otherdairy products to achieve a beverage consistency. Artificial ingredientswere also added to such beverages to overcome taste and odor objections.But other problems still existed. For example, these nut powderbeverages exhibited poor dispersement during mixing with other fluids,and poor suspension characteristics during storage. In addition, priorart nut beverages have demonstrated instability when subjected to heat,and oil separation when left in storage over an extended period of time.Lastly, functional compatibility problems have also been noted, whenthese powder-based beverages are mixed or used in conjunction with otherfoods or beverages, such as cereal or hot coffee.

B. Vegetable, Fruit, and Grain-Based Beverages

The prior art also teaches the production of vegetable, fruit, orgrain-based non-dairy beverages. More particularly, such beverages havebeen made from soy beans, oats, rice, and a variety of fruit, includingbananas, mangoes, and strawberries. Even though non-dairy, many of thesebeverages must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. They also exhibitlimited storage life even when refrigerated. Consumers have objected toan unpleasant "beany" or grainy taste, which characterizes many of thesebeverages.

C. Nut Butter, as A Food Product, A Food Spread, and A Food and BeverageIngredient

Nut butters, processed from a wide variety of nuts including peanuts,almonds, Macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts, have been produced for manyyears. The first step in producing nut butters is to roast the nuts to amoisture content typically less than 4%. Nuts such as almonds orhazelnuts may be left in a natural state with skin, or blanched with theskin removed, prior to roasting. After the roasting process iscompleted, the roasted nuts are ground to the desired consistency.Through grinding, nutseed oil is released and the nut meat is reduced toa small particle size. The combination of the oil and the particlesforms a paste, also known as nut butter.

Traditionally, nut butters have been used as food ingredients, foodspreads, and filling for food products. However, one effort to produce abeverage from almond nut paste is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,374,issued to Matsunobu, et al. The almond nut paste in the '374 Patent isproduced from unskinned, dry-roasted or oil-roasted almond nuts, groundto a fine consistency. Two surfactants are added to the nut paste todisperse fat released from the ground nuts into milk. One surfactant isa lipophilic, and the other is a hydrophilic, respectively, to attractfat and water. To make almond milk, the '374 Patent teaches that water,almond paste, sugar, and commercially marketed milk should be mixedtogether and emulsified. This process results in an almond-basedbeverage which includes both a dairy product and a chemical surfactant(polyoxyethyene sorbitan), as several of its ingredients.

However, the need exists for a natural, non-dairy nut-based beverage,which need not be refrigerated and which exhibits superior shelf lifeand stability.

The need also exists for a nut-based beverage which has a pleasanttaste, and can be combined with other natural flavors to provide a widevariety of flavored beverages.

The need further exists for a nut-based beverage produced from nutbutters, in which the nut butters are combined with water andpredetermined amounts of essential non-dairy natural ingredients, foremulsifying, dispersing, and stabilizing the beverage.

The need also exists for a process and nut-based beverage productresulting from use of the process, in which the beverage product can bereadily manufactured both in a directly consumable form, and in aconcentrated industrial form.

These and other objects of the invention will be taught by thedisclosure to follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In carrying out the process and manufacturing the product of the presentinvention, nut butters are combined with: (1) water, or water-basedbeverages, such as tea, coffee, or fruit juices; and, (2) predeterminedamounts of essential, non-dairy natural ingredients. These non-dairyingredients function as an emulsifier, a dispersant, and a stabilizerfor the resultant nut-based beverage. Other natural ingredients whichmay optionally be added to the beverage include nutrient minerals,sugar, salt, vitamins, and flavors.

Two versions of both the process and the product are disclosed herein.One version results in a beverage concentrate, whereas the otherproduces a directly consumable form of the beverage. The beverageconcentrate may be shipped and stored in large containers, and thensubsequently mixed with water and other ingredients to produce aconsumable beverage. The directly consumable form of the product may bepackaged either as an aseptic nut beverage, or as a refrigerated nutbeverage.

The combination of nut butter with at least two ingredients from aselected group of essential ingredients, results in a nutritious,non-dairy nut beverage, having superior characteristics over the knownprior art. Because the present beverage is a non-dairy product, healthproblems associated with lactose, cholesterol, saturated fats, certainallergies, and traces of growth hormones in dairy products, are avoided.While overcoming the problems of prior art beverages discussed above,the present nut beverage nevertheless appears similar to dairy milk, andexhibits a pleasant, nutty flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the process for producing both a nutbeverage concentrate and a nut beverage;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the process for producing a directlyconsumable, nut beverage;

FIG. 3 is a graph depicting typical particle size distribution,resulting from the production of an almond nut butter, contemplated foruse herein;

FIG. 4A is a graph comparing the stability of eight test samples ofalmond beverages after 292 hours in refrigerated storage, in which thesamples varied in composition from no added ingredients to three addedingredients;

FIG. 4B is a chart having vertical columns corresponding to samples 1-8in FIG. 4A, showing which, if any, of the three added ingredients ispresent in the respective sample;

FIG. 4C is a chart for the eight samples of FIG. 4A, showing respectivevolumetric percentages for sediment, homogeneity, non-homogeneity, and,cream; and,

FIG. 5 is a chart displaying the functional stability of the eight testsamples of FIG. 4A, when each sample is mixed with strong coffee andobserved over a period of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Both the process and the product described herein require that a nutbutter first be produced, from a selected nut product. It iscontemplated that almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, cashews, peanuts,pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and Macadamia nuts are all suitable nutsfor making the nut-based beverage herein. The selected nuts may benatural with skin, or blanched with the skin removed.

The process 10 for making the nut beverage concentrate 11, will first bedescribed. Making reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 1, aninitial step is selecting 12 one or more varieties of nuts to beprocessed into the beverage concentrate. The selected nuts are thensubjected either to dry roasting or oil roasting 13, until they containless than 4% moisture. Dry roasting is preferred to oil roasting,because the resultant nuts do not contain the additional oil absorbedduring the oil roasting process. This additional oil may makehomogenization and stabilization of the beverage more difficult, andadds additional, unwanted fat.

Although the particular moisture content of the roasted nuts is notcritical, it must be low enough to facilitate the next step, namely,grinding 14 the nuts into a nut butter 16, having suitable particlesize. If the moisture content is too high, the grinding process will beineffective in producing a nut butter suitable for practicing thepresent invention.

The particle size within the nut butter must be sufficiently small toachieve a stable suspension and emulsion, as well as a smooth"mouthfeel" for the consumer. This small particle size, in combinationwith certain ingredients discussed herein, may be used to produce abeverage having a viscosity resembling that of milk. A typical particlesize distribution for blanched almond nut butter is illustrated in FIG.3, graphing particle size in microns against the relative percentagepresent in the nut butter. It is apparent that the vast majority ofparticle sizes does not exceed 45 microns, although small numbers ofparticles are present in sizes exceeding 250 microns.

Grinding 14 is carried out using available apparatus and knowntechniques for producing nut butters, using rollers, balls, cones, orblades. During the grinding process, nutseed oil is released. This oilcombines with the small particles described above to form the nut butterpaste.

It is preferable that the nut butter used in the present process doesnot include any additives such as hydrogenated vegetable oil. Suchadditives may have a deleterious effect upon the particle suspension andfunctional compatibility characteristics of the nut beverage disclosedherein. Products including hydrogenated vegetable oil are also generallyrecognized as more difficult for the body to metabolize. However, otheringredients, such as sugar and salt, which do not interfere with theresultant beverage's desirable characteristics, may be included in thenut butter.

In a next stage of dispersing/mixing 17, selected essential ingredients18 are added to the nut butter 16. The group of essential ingredientsincludes: (1) a citrate salt, selected from the sub-group includingpotassium or sodium citrate; (2) a natural, non-hydroxylated, soylecithin emulsifier; and, (3) a natural gum, preferably carrageenan(alternatively, spelled "carrageenin"). At least two of these essentialingredients, or their equivalents, must be used together, and within apredetermined range of relative weights, per part of nut butter, toachieve the product characteristics desired herein. These predeterminedranges which provide acceptable results in accordance with the teachingsof the present invention have been determined experimentally.

The citrate salt ingredient should be present in the amount ofapproximately 0.005 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter.The citrate salt disperses nut solids, such as fiber and protein, andprovides a stable suspension of those solids within the beverage.Without this ingredient, rapid agglomeration and precipitation of thenut solids will occur, and the nut-beverage will not function properlyin applications with solid foods. One such food application is using thenut beverage in lieu of milk, in combination with cereal. It should alsobe noted that the use of potassium citrate rather than sodium citrate,will result in a beverage having an overall lower sodium content, acharacteristic desirable for many special diets.

The second ingredient in the group is a natural, non-hydroxylated soylecithin emulsifier. This emulsifier should be present in the amount ofapproximately 0.002 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter.One function of the lecithin is to facilitate the production of anemulsion, containing nut oil and water. Because the lecithin includessurfactants having an affinity both for fat and water, it preventsseparation of the oil from the nut beverage which is ultimately producedfrom the nut butter. The lecithin also imparts a desirable smoothness tothe nut beverage of the present invention.

The lecithin must have an HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) withinthe range of 4-10, and be able to withstand the high temperaturesassociated with pasteurization and thermal processing that the resultantnut beverage later undergoes. It is commercially desirable that the soylecithin has a mild flavor, to avoid masking the nut flavor of theconcentrate, and the beverage made therefrom. Also, excessive amounts oflecithin in relation to the nut content of the concentrate, will resultin a beverage having an undesirable soy flavor.

The third ingredient in the group is a natural gum, preferablycarrageenan. This gum should be present in the amount of approximately0.002 to 0.25 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter. Carrageenan isa family of water-soluble carbohydrates extracted from natural seaweed.There are three basic types of carrageenan, Kappa, Iota, and Lambda,each derived primarily from a different variety of seaweed. Each type ofcarrageenan exhibits different physical and chemical properties whendissolved in water, owing to individual differences in their chemicalproperties. These properties can include: jelling, viscosity control,particulate suspension, emulsion stabilization, and moisture binding. Ablend of Kappa and Iota carrageenan varieties has been determinedeffective to provide the desired properties in the beverage disclosedherein.

Carrageenan functions as a stabilizer, by suspending solids which arepresent in the nut beverage. This function is particularly importantbecause surfactants are ineffective to suspend such solids. If noteffectively suspended, these solid particles will agglomerate andprecipitate over time, and also interfere with the functionalcompatibility of the nut beverage when used with cereal or coffee. Inaddition, natural gum provides a degree of viscosity, smoothness, and"mouthfeel" to the nut beverage, all of which enhance the consumer'sperception of the beverage as a milk-like product.

It has been determined that the omission of certain of theseingredients, or the use of an improper amount of any of them, willresult in a nut beverage which is either non-functional for the intendedpurposes herein, or commercially unacceptable as unstable duringanticipated shelf life for the product. FIG. 4A illustrates thestability of beverage samples made from almond nut, including all, some,and none of the essential ingredients described above. Each sample wasprepared as indicated in chart 20, and placed into refrigerated storagefor 292 hours before the visual observations were made.

Sample 1, which included all three of the essential ingredients, shows avery high percentage of stable, homogeneous liquid 21, and a very smallpercentage of sediment 22. A homogeneous liquid 21 is stable, having amilky, consistent appearance, which does not appear to contain defects.Sediment 22 refers to a recognizable layer of sediment material at thebottom of the beverage sample, with a liquid interface boundary aboveit.

Sample 2, which included lecithin and carrageenan gum, but no citratesalt, displays a slight increase in the percentage of sediment 22 oversample 1, and the addition of a small amount of cream 23. Cream 23 isidentified by a material floating to the surface of the beverage sample,with a liquid interface boundary below it.

Sample 3 included only the added ingredient of lecithin, resulting in anbeverage comprised entirely of a non-homogeneous liquid 24. This liquid24, which is alternatively referred to as an unstable liquid, includesminor and major defects such as flocculation, clear water cracks in thebeverage, and liquid clearing.

Sample 4 included only the added ingredient of carrageenan gum. Sample 4displays a very high percentage of non-homogeneous liquid 24, and asmall percentage of sediment 22. Both citrate salt and carrageenan gumwere added to Sample 5, resulting in a very high percentage ofhomogeneous liquid 21, and a very small percentage of sediment 22.Sample 6 included no additional ingredients, resulting in a completelynon-homogeneous liquid 24. In sample 7, only citrate salt was added.Sample 7 displays a high percentage of homogeneous liquid 21, and smallamounts of cream 23 and sediment 22. Lastly, sample 8, including citratesalt and lecithin, is very similar to the makeup of sample 7, with theamount of cream 23 being reduced significantly.

Aspects of this data are alternatively presented in FIGS. 4B and 4C, forfurther clarification. In FIG. 4B, chart 30 presents the criticalingredient distribution in samples 1-8. In FIG. 4C, chart 35 presentsthe data from FIG. 4A in numerical fashion.

One conclusion apparent from the results of this stability test is thatat least two of the three ingredients from the selected group ofingredients must be present, to provide a reasonably acceptable degreeof stability and homogeneity in the beverage. Sample 3, which includedonly lecithin as an added ingredient, and Sample 4, which included onlycarrageenan gum as an added ingredient, are both non-homogeneousliquids. Sample 6, which included no added ingredients, also resulted ina non-homogeneous liquid. However, Samples 2, 5 and 8, which includeddifferent respective permutations of at least two of the ingredientsfrom the group, are reasonably homogeneous. Sample 1, which included allthree ingredients, was the most homogeneous of the samples. Thus, onecan enjoy a significant advantage in the homogeneity of the beverage, byusing at least two of the three critical ingredients in combination;however, the best results are obtained by using all three of theingredients together.

Another aspect of nut beverage acceptability for consumer use, is itsfunctional compatibility with foods or other liquids. Consumers expectthat a nut beverage should combine and be used with foods and otherliquids, as milk does. An acceptable nut beverage, for example, shouldremain stable when mixed with hot, strong coffee. In FIG. 5, chart 40depicts the results of mixing the eight samples of nut beverage shown inFIG. 4A, with hot, strong coffee.

As indicated in the KEY 26, a "+" sign 27, indicates that the beveragewas stable in strong coffee. Stability in this instance means that thecoffee and nut beverage mixture was homogeneous, having an appearancesimilar to dairy milk and coffee, and evidencing no separation orflocculation of the nut beverage. A "-" sign 28 indicates that thebeverage was unstable in strong coffee. Instability in this instancemeans that the coffee and nut beverage mixture was not homogeneous, andthat separation and flocculation of the nut beverage were evident.

While all of the samples are stable immediately after the mixing tookplace, all of the samples except samples 1 and 5 became unstable, afterthe passage of only one minute. This early trend did not change, evenafter one hour of observation. As with the samples in FIG. 4A, Sample 1included all three of the critical ingredients (citrate salt, lecithin,and carrageenan gum), and Sample 5 included only citrate salt andcarrageenan gum. Consequently, the functional compatibility advantagesof the present invention, when the beverage is mixed with hot coffee,can be realized by using either all three of the ingredients of theselected group, or the two combined ingredients of citrate salt andcarrageenan gum.

It is apparent from the stability and functional compatibility teststhat at least two ingredients from the selected group of ingredientsmust be dispersed throughout the nut butter, to practice the inventionsuccessfully. It is also important that these ingredients are presentwithin a range of relative amounts, or ratios. In the examples explainedbelow, specific amounts of the ingredients will be identified. It shouldbe pointed out, however, that one having ordinary skill in the art canmodify these specific amounts within a range and still achieve thebenefits of the invention. Thus, in a particular formulation, one mightdecrease the relative amount of citrate salt and increase the relativeamount of carrageenan gum from those specific amounts set forth in theexamples, and still obtain the desired results of beverage stability andfunctional compatibility.

Returning now to FIG. 1, some circumstances may call for adding optionalingredients 19 while the dispersing/mixing step 17 is carried out. Theseoptional ingredients may include sweeteners, salts, vitamin supplements,natural flavors, and protein, vegetable, or grain ingredients. Thisearly addition of optional ingredients would be appropriate where thecustomer has ordered a specially formulated concentrate, ready fordirect conversion into a beverage without the addition of otheringredients. Alternatively, or in addition, these optional ingredientsmay be added at a later time, when the nut beverage concentrate isfurther amended into an unprocessed nut beverage, to be discussed inmore detail below.

If a sweetener is to be added, it is desirable to use a naturalsweetener, such as washed raw sugar, cane syrup, fruit syrup, ricesyrup, or cereal malt. This sweetener should be added in the amount ofapproximately 0.10 to 20 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter. Thespecific amount of sweetener used depends upon the nature of thecommercial product and consumer preference. Natural washed raw sugarprovides the advantage that it adds sweetness to nut beverages withoutcovering or masking the natural roasted nut flavor, as some cereal orgrain type sweeteners may do. It should also be noted that the use ofdifferent types of sweeteners in amounts which diverge from theteachings herein, may adversely influence the stability of the nutbeverage.

Another optional ingredient which is quite important to consumeracceptance of the beverage is salt. Natural sea salt, in the amount of0.01 to 0.25 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter, provides asatisfactory level of salinity to the beverage. Without the properamount of salt, the nut beverage flavor is weak and "metallic". As withsweetener, the amount of salt can also affect the stability of the nutbeverage.

Another optional ingredient is calcium salt, such as tricalciumphosphate, in an amount typically ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 parts byweight, to one part of nut butter. Such calcium salt functions as anutrient source of calcium, with the specific amount used beingdependent upon nutritional requirements. Calcium salt also directlyaffects the suspension stability of the nut beverage.

Natural vitamin supplements, such as Vitamin A palmitate, Vitamin D, andVitamin E may be added in amounts calculated to satisfy nutritionalrequirements. It should be noted, however, that excessive amounts ofsuch vitamin supplements can adversely affect the flavor of the nutbeverage.

Natural flavors, including vanilla, cocoa, and others, may be added asoptional ingredients, as well. Although the beverage is a nut-basedbeverage, such additional flavors may supplement and compliment thenatural roasted nut flavors and satisfy consumer desires for differentvarieties of nut beverages. Of course, if the proportion of an addedflavor is too high, it will mask the distinctive roasted nut flavors ofthe beverage.

A last group of optional ingredients includes protein, vegetable, orgrain. Each of these ingredients can profoundly affect the stability,functionality, and flavor of the nut beverage. However, providing theamounts are not excessive and the ingredient's characteristics aredesirable in the beverage, such amendments may be added to the nutbutter 16 during the dispersing/mixing step 17, along with the essentialingredients 18.

Completion of the dispersing/mixing step 17 results in a highly viscous,nut beverage concentrate 11. The concentrate is shelf stable, and doesnot require refrigeration to prevent spoilage. Typical water amounts inthe concentrate 11 range from 1% to 3%, by weight. Large containers,such as drums, pails, totes, and the like, may be used for convenienttransport and storage of the concentrate to processing locations remotefrom the concentrate manufacturing facility. The proper proportions ofessential and optional ingredients are already present in theconcentrate, making further processing of the concentrate into abeverage, a relatively straightforward procedure.

At the concentrate processing facility, the first step undertaken isadding potable water 31 to the nut beverage concentrate 11. The amountof concentrate used is dependent upon the desired nut or fat content inthe finished beverage product. Typically, this amount would fall withinthe range of 0.1% to 20% of the weight of the beverage product. In thenext step, several minutes of high shear mixing 29 disperses, anddissolves the concentrate throughout the liquid mixture. This mixingoccurs in a high shear mixing tank, using conventional apparatus, wellknown in the art. A further step of adding optional ingredients 32, suchas natural sugar, is taken, followed by additional high shear mixing.This results in a rudimentary emulsion and suspension of the nut butterparticles, with the liquid now being characterized as an unprocessed nutbeverage 33.

Owing to the fine particle size achieved during the nut grinding step14, filtering or centrifuging the beverage 33 is not required. In thismanner, the full nutritional value of the ground nuts, including the nutfiber, is retained in the beverage.

In a next step, the beverage 33 is thermally processed and pasteurized34, under sterile or aseptic conditions, using commercially availableequipment. This results in sterilization of the beverage 33, and alsoassists in complete dissolution of soluble ingredients. However, itshould be noted that unless the essential ingredients discussed aboveare present in the proper amounts in the beverage, thermal processingcan quickly flocculate and destabilize the beverage.

It has been determined that the type of thermal processing equipment andthe duration of the heating cycle also have a significant effect on thestability of the beverage. For example, aseptic UHT ("Ultra-HighTemperature") thermal processing equipment, utilizing tubular heatexchangers, have proven satisfactory, for carrying out this step.Applicant has successfully used such thermal processing manufactured bythe Cherry Burrell company. Experimental testing has shown that atypical thermal cycle hold time is within the range of four to tenseconds at a temperature of 284° F. to 290° F. Alternate thermalprocessing methods such as retort with associated longer heating timesmay result in a non-homogeneous, or destabilized beverage.

Following pasteurization, the beverage 33 is moderately, or partially,cooled and then subjected to homogenizing 36, also under asepticconditions. Homogenization is important to effect further reduction inthe size of the nut particles and the oil droplets in the beverage.Through the homogenization process, a more stable suspension andemulsion are provided, resulting in a long shelf life for the beverage.In a final processing step, cooling 37 is applied to the homogenizedmixture, resulting in a filly processed nut beverage 38.

Packaging 39 is required to contain and protect metered amounts of theprocessed beverage 38, for distribution and sale to consumers. As onealternative, the nut beverage may be aseptic packaged 41. Such packagingdoes not require refrigeration of the product, and provides a compactand convenient means of beverage containment. Alternatively, the nutbeverage 38 may be refrigerant packaged 42, in cartons, cans, orbottles.

Making reference now to FIG. 2, another process 40, for producing adirectly consumable form of the nut-based beverage, will now bedescribed. Rather than producing an intermediate form of the beverage,identified above as the nut beverage concentrate 11, this second processcontemplates producing the nut beverage in a form immediately ready forconsumption. Thus, the entire beverage manufacturing process isundertaken and completed at one location, on a continuous or batchbasis.

Since many of steps used to make the directly consumable form of thebeverage are identical to those described above for making the nutbeverage concentrate 11, the same numerical designations will be usedwherever possible, for purposes of simplification and clarity.

Having selected the nuts for processing 12, and completed the dry or oilroasting 13 of those nuts, grinding 14 is undertaken until a nut butter16 is produced. The pure nut butter 16, preferably without additives atthis point, is introduced to a high shear mixing tank. After addingpotable water 31 in the desired amount, the nut butter and water mixtureis subjected to high shear mixing 29. This mixing is continued forseveral minutes, to disperse and dissolve the nut butter.

The next steps require adding essential ingredients 18 and addingoptional ingredients 32, to the butter/water mixture in the tank. Theproportions and kinds of these ingredients are the same as thosepreviously described, in connection with the concentrate beverage.Additional high shear mixing 29 follows, to dissolve the ingredients andbegin the formation of emulsion and suspension of particles in solution.

Further processing of the resultant unprocessed nut beverage 33 takesplace in a manner identical to that set forth above. The thermalprocessing 34, homogenizing 36, and cooling 37 produce a processed nutbeverage 38. Packaging 39 may take the form of aseptic packaging 41 orrefrigerated packaging 42. In this manner, a directly consumable form ofthe nut beverage may be produced.

Having explained the two basic processes for manufacturing the nut-basednon-dairy beverage of the present invention, a series of specificexamples in carrying out the teachings will now be described.

EXAMPLE 1 Nut Beverage Concentrate

A selected nut such as almond, hazelnut, or Macadamia is roasted andground into a nut butter. The butter is introduced into a mixing tankwith other ingredients, having the following proportional parts, byweight: 75.5 nut butter; 3.0 parts lecithin; 5.7 parts potassiumcitrate; 5.7 parts sea salt; 7.5 parts tricalcium phosphate; and, 2.6parts carrageenan gum, comprised of 0.4 parts Kappa and 2.2 parts Iotacarrageenan gum. Following a dispersing/mixing step, the concentrate ispackaged into suitable containers, for future use as base ingredientused in the manufacture of a nut beverage.

EXAMPLE 2 Plain Nut Beverage Manufactured From Concentrate

In a high shear mixer tank, 2.5 parts by weight of almond, hazelnut, orMacadamia beverage concentrate is combined with 3.0 parts by weight ofwashed raw sugar and 94.5 parts by weight of potable water. Allingredients are subjected to high shear mixing for several minutes toform an incipient emulsion with particle suspension. The resultantmixture is UHT processed on an aseptic system using tubular heatexchangers, at a temperature typically within the range of 285° F.-295°F. for 5 to 15 seconds: Following thermal processing, the beverage ishomogenized, cooled, and packaged in sterile containers.

EXAMPLE 3 Plain Almond Beverage From Nut Butter

In a high shear mixing tank, the following ingredients are combined, inthe following proportions, by weight: 94.35 parts of potable water; 2.0parts of blanched almond nut butter; 0.08 parts of lecithin; 0.15 partsof potassium citrate; 3.0 parts of washed raw sugar; 0.15 parts of seasalt; 0.20 parts of tricalcium phosphate; and, 0.07 parts of carrageenangum, comprised of 0.01 parts Kappa and 0.06 parts Iota carrageenan gum.Following mixing, the unprocessed nut beverage is subjected to the samethermal processing, homogenizing, cooling, and packaging steps, setforth in Example 2.

EXAMPLE 4 Hazelnut Beverage From Nut Butter

In a high shear mixing tank, the following ingredients are combined, inthe following proportions, by weight: 93.33 parts of potable water; 2.0parts of blanched hazelnut butter; 0.08 parts of lecithin; 0.15 parts ofpotassium citrate; 4.0 parts of washed raw sugar; 0.15 parts of seasalt; 0.20 parts of tricalcium phosphate; 0.07 parts of carrageenan gum,comprised of 0.01 parts Kappa and 0.06 parts Iota carrageenan gum; 0.02parts of two fold natural vanilla; 0.00275 parts of vitamin E invegetable oil (1250 IU/g); 0.00005 parts of Vitamin D3 in vegetable oil(1M IU/g); and 0.00016 parts of Vitamin A in vegetable oil (1.6M IU/g).Following mixing, the unprocessed nut beverage is subjected to the samethermal processing, homogenizing, cooling, and packaging steps, setforth in Example 2.

EXAMPLE 5 Vanilla Almond Beverage From Nut Butter

In a high shear mixing tank, the following ingredients are combined, inthe following proportions, by weight: 91.18 parts of potable water; 2.0parts of blanched almond butter; 0.08 parts of lecithin; 0.15 parts ofpotassium citrate; 6.0 parts of washed raw sugar; 0.15 parts of seasalt; 0.20 parts of tricalcium phosphate; 0.07 parts of carrageenan gum,comprised of 0.01 parts Kappa and 0.06 parts Iota carrageenan gum; 0.17parts of three fold natural vanilla; 0.00275 parts of vitamin E invegetable oil (1250 IU/g); 0.00005 parts of Vitamin D3 in vegetable oil(1M IU/g); and 0.00016 parts of Vitamin A in vegetable oil (1.6M IU/g).Following mixing, the unprocessed nut beverage is subjected to the samethermal processing, homogenizing, cooling, and packaging steps, setforth in Example 2.

EXAMPLE 6 Chocolate Almond Beverage From Nut Butter

In a high shear mixing tank, the following ingredients are combined, inthe following proportions, by weight: 88.64 parts of potable water; 2.0parts of blanched almond butter; 0.08 parts of lecithin; 0.15 parts ofpotassium citrate; 8.0 parts of washed raw sugar; 0.15 parts of seasalt; 0.20 parts of tricalcium phosphate; 0.08 parts of carrageenan gum,comprised of 0.02 parts Kappa and 0.06 parts Iota carrageenan gum; 0.6parts of Dutch process cocoa powder; 0.10 parts of two fold naturalvanilla; 0.00275 parts of vitamin E in vegetable oil (1250 IU/g);0.00005 parts of Vitamin D3 in vegetable oil (1M IU/g); and 0.00016parts of Vitamin A in vegetable oil (1.6M IU/g). Following mixing, theunprocessed nut beverage is subjected to the same thermal processing,homogenizing, cooling, and packaging steps, set forth in Example 2.

EXAMPLE 7 Macadamia Beverage From Nut Butter

In a high shear mixing tank, the following ingredients are combined, inthe following proportions, by weight: 93.33 parts of potable water; 2.0parts of Macadamia butter; 0.08 parts of lecithin; 0.15 parts ofpotassium citrate; 4.0 parts of washed raw sugar; 0.15 parts of seasalt; 0.20 parts of tricalcium phosphate; 0.07 parts of carrageenan gum,comprised of 0.01 parts Kappa and 0.06 parts Iota carrageenan gum; and,0.02 parts of two fold natural vanilla. Following mixing, theunprocessed nut beverage is subjected to the same thermal processing,homogenizing, cooling, and packaging steps, set forth in Example 2.

It will be appreciated, then, that I have disclosed both a process and aproduct for a nut-based non-dairy beverage, both in concentrated and inconsumable form, which exhibits superior shelf life and taste, whileeliminating certain health problems associated with dairy products.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-dairy beverage, comprising the following ingredients blended into a homogeneous, aqueous solution:a. nut butter having a weight concentration in the aqueous solution in a range of 0.1% to 20%; b. potassium or sodium citrate having a concentration within a range of 0.005 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter; c. non-hydroxylated soy lecithin having a concentration with a range of 0.002 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter; and, d. carrageenan gum having a concentration within a range of 0.002 to 0.25 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter.
 2. A beverage as in claim 1 in which said nut butter is made from a nut selected from the group consisting of almonds, hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and walnuts.
 3. A beverage as in claim 1 further including sugar.
 4. A beverage as in claim 1 further including salt.
 5. A beverage as in claim 4 further including tricalcium phosphate.
 6. A beverage as in claim 4 further including a natural vitamin supplement in an amount which does not adversely affect the flavor of the beverage for human consumption.
 7. A beverage as in claim 1 further including a flavoring ingredient.
 8. A non-dairy beverage, comprising the following ingredients blended into a homogeneous aqueous solution:a. a nut butter composed of particles in which a majority of said particles does not exceed 45 microns, and in which said nut butter has a weight concentration in the aqueous solution in a range of 0.1% to 20%; b. potassium or sodium citrate having a concentration within a range of 0.005 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter; c. a natural, non-hydroxylated soy lecithin having a concentration within a range of 0.002 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter; and, d. a blend of Kappa and Iota carrageenan gum having a concentration within a range of 0.002 to 0.25 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter.
 9. A beverage as in claim 8 in which said nut butter is made from a nut selected from the group consisting of almonds, hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and walnuts.
 10. A beverage as in claim 8 further including sugar.
 11. A beverage as in claim 8 further including salt.
 12. A beverage as in claim 8 further including tricalcium phosphate.
 13. A beverage as in claim 8 further including a natural vitamin supplement in an amount which does not adversely affect the flavor of the beverage for human consumption.
 14. A beverage as in claim 8 further including a flavoring ingredient.
 15. A non-dairy beverage, comprising the following ingredients blended into a homogeneous aqueous solution:a. 2 to 3 parts by weight of a nut butter concentrate, said concentrate having the following proportional parts by weight: approximately 68 to 86 parts of nut butter; approximately 1.5 to 4.5 parts of lecithin; approximately 4 to 7 parts of potassium citrate; approximately 3 to 7 parts of sea salt; approximately 4 to 10 parts of tricalcium phosphate; approximately 1.6 to 3.4 parts of carrageenan gum; b. approximately 2 to 3 parts by weight of sugar; and, c. a balance of 96 to 94 parts by weight of potable water.
 16. A beverage as in claim 15 in which said carrageenan gum includes Kappa and Iota carrageenan gum.
 17. A beverage as in claim 15 including natural vanilla.
 18. A beverage as in claim 15 including cocoa powder.
 19. A beverage as in claim 15 in which said nut butter is made from a nut selected from the group consisting of almonds, hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and walnuts.
 20. A non-dairy beverage, comprising the following ingredients blended into a homogeneous aqueous solution:a. nut butter having a weight concentration in the aqueous solution in a range of 0.1% to 20%; b. potassium or sodium citrate having a concentration within a range of 0.005 to 0.3 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter; and, c. a blend of Kappa and Iota carrageenan gum having a concentration within a range of 0.002 to 0.25 parts by weight, to one part of nut butter.
 21. A beverage as in claim 20 in which said nut butter is made from a nut selected from the group consisting of almonds, hazelnuts, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and walnuts.
 22. A beverage as in claim 20 further including sugar.
 23. A beverage as in claim 20 further including salt.
 24. A beverage as in claim 20 further including tricalcium phosphate.
 25. A beverage as in claim 20 further including a natural vitamin supplement in an amount which does not adversely affect the flavor of the beverage for human consumption.
 26. A beverage as in claim 20 further including a flavoring ingredient. 